The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2001 | 53 | 4 |
| Ford Excursion | 2001 | 209 | 6 |
| Ford Expedition | 2001 | 578 | 6 |
| Ford F-150 | 2001 | 1,236 | 8 |
| Ford F-250 | 2001 | 220 | 4 |
| Ford F-350 | 2001 | 160 | 5 |
| Ford F-450 SD | 2001 | 23 | 7 |
| Ford F-550 SD | 2001 | 29 | 6 |
| Ford Ranger | 2001 | 515 | 4 |
| Ford Windstar | 2001 | 1,686 | 15 |
| Lincoln Navigator | 2001 | 81 | 3 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 2001 | 161 | 5 |
| Mercury Grand Marquis | 2001 | 157 | 3 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2001
35 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the seat belts; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 01V386000 18 Dec 2001 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 01V380000 13 Dec 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V351000 26 Nov 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V345000 6 Nov 2001 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V337000 18 Oct 2001 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 01V166002 14 Aug 2001 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 01V227002 6 Aug 2001 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
| 01V233000 5 Jul 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001